Free The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris

Freyja’s.’
    ‘Really?’ I grinned again at that. Freyja was rather protective of her position as fairest of all. I filed the knowledge away for possible use at a later date. Everyone has a weakness, and I make it my business to know them all. Dvalin’s was pride in his handiwork, and so I praised him to the skies as I picked up the three precious gifts.
    ‘I have to say I doubted you,’ I told him as I prepared to leave. ‘I knew you were good, but not how good. You and your brothers are masters of all the craftsmen in World Below, and that’s what I’ll tell them in Asgard.’
    Well, a little flattery never hurt, I told myself. Now to get home with the loot. It was time. I turned my face towards World Above. I was sick as a dog with the fumes from the forge, and I needed a wash like never before, but I was flushed with triumph. This ought to show the General, I thought. And as for that smug bastard Heimdall—
    But as I was about to leave, I found a figure blocking my way. It was another craftsman, Brokk, one of Dvalin’s competitors. A squat little bulldog of a man, with eyes like currants andarms like logs.
    ‘I heard you gave Dvalin some work,’ he said, looking at me from under his heavy brows.
    I admitted I had.
    ‘You were satisfied?’
    ‘More than satisfied,’ I said. ‘He and his brothers are incredible.’
    Brokk sneered. ‘Call that incredible? You people should have come to us. Everyone knows my brother and I are the kings of World Below.’
    I shrugged. ‘Talk’s cheap,’ I told him. ‘If you want to prove yourself better than Ivaldi’s sons, go ahead and match their work. Otherwise, as far as Asgard’s concerned, you’re just another amateur.’
    I know. I shouldn’t have baited him. But he was getting on my nerves and I was eager to get out.
    ‘An amateur?’ he said. ‘I’ll show you who’s the amateur. A wager. I’ll make three gifts for you, Trickster, and come back with you to Asgard. Then we’ll see whose work is the best. Let your General decide.’
    All I can say in my defence is that World Below must have clouded my brain. All that gold and glamour – and now was a chance to get some more, and for free. Besides, the children of Chaos can never resist a wager.
    ‘Well, why not? I’m in,’ I said. Three more gifts for the Aesir, at minimal risk to Yours Truly. I’d be a fool to pass by the chance. ‘And what shall we wager?’
    Brokk scowled at me. ‘You’ve damaged my reputation,’ he said. ‘All of World Below now believes Dvalin’s work to be better than mine. I need to make a point.’
    ‘How?’
    ‘I’ll wager my work against your head.’ He gave me a very nasty smile.
    ‘Really? That’s all?’ I was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable. These artist types can be very intense, and besides,what would he do with my head?
    ‘I’d use it as a doorstop,’ said Brokk. ‘That way anyone coming in or out of my workshop would know what happens to anyone who dares to disparage my craftsmanship.’
    Nice, I thought. But a bet was a bet. ‘Fine,’ I told him. ‘But you’ll have your work cut out.’
    He smiled, if you can call that a smile. His teeth were like pieces of amber. ‘ I’ll be doing the cutting,’ he said. ‘If you’re lucky, I’ll use a knife. If not—’
    ‘Just go ahead,’ I said.
    Not really the best choice of words, come to think of it. But I was feeling confident. I had a few more tricks up my sleeve, and besides, when I walked into Asgard, I knew I’d be the blue-eyed boy, and therefore immune to everything.
    Just proves how wrong you can be, I guess.

LESSON 9
    Hammer and Tongs
    Never trust an insect.
    Lokabrenna
    B ROKK’S WORKSHOP was not at all like that of Dvalin and his brothers. For a start, he had a regular forge, fed with regular fuel, and therefore had none of the natural advantages enjoyed by the sons of Ivaldi. His brother Sindri, whom I’d rather expected to be the brains behind the outfit, looked little